Breaking News Out of Utah – We’re Fighting Back Against a Power Grab
In a move that would curtail voter rights, Utah’s Republican-controlled Legislature plans to ask citizens in the November election to grant lawmakers the power to alter or repeal state ballot measures after they have been approved.
Spurred by a recent state Supreme Court ruling that revived an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit, lawmakers hastily convened a special session on August 21st, where both legislative chambers swiftly approved a constitutional amendment expanding the Legislature’s control over citizen initiatives. Invoking their broadly defined emergency powers, the Legislature called this special session to push through the amendment.
If a majority of Utah voters endorse the measure this fall, it would grant lawmakers the constitutional authority to significantly rewrite or entirely repeal voter-approved ballot initiatives.
Fortunately, Forward and the Utah Forward Party are fighting back. The state party, along with all FWD-endorsed candidates, including Michelle Quist, Miles Pomeroy, and Laura Johnson, are helping lead a Vote No campaign to defeat the amendment at the ballot box this November. See what Michelle Quist has to say about it here.
